Scientific name
Trachurus trecae, Trachurus trachurus; Trachurus murphyi
Also known as
Cunene horse mackerel, Atlantic horse mackerel, scad, chinchard, jurel, Chilean jack mackerel
Main origins
Mauritania, Morocco, Chile
Availability
Africa year round; Chile January to June
Overview
About Horse Mackerel and Jack Mackerel
Horse mackerels are schooling fish of shelf and slope waters, with Cunene and Atlantic horse mackerel caught off Mauritania and Morocco and jack mackerel taken in the Southeast Pacific off Chile. The flesh is medium oily and firm with a pronounced flavour.
Pelagic trawlers freeze much of the African catch at sea, while Chilean purse seiners land jack mackerel for freezing plants, canning and fishmeal. West Africa, especially Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, is a main outlet for frozen whole fish used for frying, grilling, stews and smoking.
Key points
- Whole round, block frozen
- Graded in grams per piece
- Chilean fishery MSC certified
- Staple for West African markets
Origins
Where it comes from
Mauritania
Pelagic trawlers catch Trachurus trecae and Trachurus trachurus, mostly frozen at sea in 20 kg cartons.
Morocco
Horse mackerel is landed by coastal purse seiners and trawlers and frozen ashore, mainly in the southern ports.
Chile
Purse seiners off south central Chile land Trachurus murphyi, with the main season from January to June.
Available origins vary through the year. Contact us for current availability.
Specifications
Available formats
| Product forms | Whole round; headed and gutted on request |
| Sizes (g per piece) | Africa 100/200, 200/300 and up; Chile 300/500, 500/900, 900 up |
| Freezing | Sea frozen or land frozen plate blocks; IQF from some packers |
| Packing | 20 kg cartons, usually 2 x 10 kg blocks |
| Availability | Northwest Africa year round under quotas; Chile January to June |
| Certifications | Chilean jack mackerel purse seine fishery MSC certified; EU approved plants, HACCP |
Specifications are typical for the trade and vary by origin and supplier. We source to your exact requirements.
Interested in Horse Mackerel and Jack Mackerel?
Send us your specification, volumes and destination and we will come back to you with suitable offers.